- My Life II... The Journey Continues (Act 1)
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My Life II... The Journey Continues (Act 1) Studio album by Mary J. Blige Released November 21, 2011[1]
(See release history)Recorded 2010-2011 Genre R&B, hip hop soul Label Matriarch, Geffen Producer Mary J. Blige (Executive)
Jerry Duplessis, Arden Altino, The Underdogs, Danja, Bangladesh, Drumma Boy, Darkchild, Eric Hudson, Jim Jonsin, Rico Love, Swizz Beatz, StarGate, Ryan Leslie, Sean Garrett, The BridgetownMary J. Blige chronology Stronger with Each Tear
(2009)My Life II... The Journey Continues (Act 1)
(2011)Singles from My Life II... The Journey Continues (Act 1) - "25/8"
Released: September 1, 2011 - "Mr. Wrong"
Released: October 28, 2011
Alternative covers Deluxe edition coverMy Life II... The Journey Continues (Act 1) is the upcoming tenth studio album by American R&B recording artist Mary J. Blige. Titled as the sequel to her 1994 album My Life, the album is scheduled to be released on November 21, 2011.
Contents
Background
It was confirmed in August 2010 that Blige had begun work on her tenth studio album with Swizz Beatz, Kanye West, The Underdogs, Jerry "Wonder" Duplessis, Jay-Z, Timbaland, Salaam Remi, Maxwell, Alicia Keys, Raphael Saadiq, Ester Dean, J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League, Johnta Austin, Eric Hudson, Q-Tip, Sean Garrett, DJ Premier, Gorilla Tek, Don Pooh, Ne-Yo, and Drumma Boy.[2][3][4][5][6][7] Reports claimed the album would be titled, LovHer and be released first quarter of 2011, but Mary revealed to Rap-Up. com during her Music Saved My Life Tour in 2010, she was in no rush to release the album and she had not given it a title as of yet.[8][9] A song called "Anything You Want" featuring Busta Rhymes and Gyptian leaked on line in August 2010.[10][11]
Blige revealed to MTV.com, backstage at the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards, that
“ Swizz [Beatz] and I, [we're] in the studio cooking up something real nice." When speaking of approach to the new album it was described crafting sonic heat similar to her first two studio albums but plan to update the vintage Blige sound. "[It will be] more like a "What's the 411?" of 2012. It's headed [in] that direction but in a new [way]. Not what it used to be. Right now, it's going in the Mary direction, which is R&B and hip-hop and soul,... If it goes into the club direction, it will probably be more soulful than futuristic.[12] ” Producer-songwriter Danja, confirmed that he had been heavily involved in the new album. He said of the records he's made with Blige
“ Everything that I’ve done feels really good. Great tracks, funky, you can dance to it. Some is a hybrid of 808s with very heartfelt, soulful piano lines on top of them. You dancing and you in the club, but you kinda feeling a certain way at the same time. Very emotional topics and kinda classic Mary in 2011."[13] ” Additionally it was revealed that singer-songwriter Kevin Cossom was also working with Blige, writing songs for her upcoming album.[14] The LP, recorded in Los Angeles, New York City and Atlanta, sees Mary looking toward the future while acknowledging the past.
“ From me to you, My Life II… Our journey together continues in this life,” explained Mary. “It’s a gift to be able to relate and identify with my fans at all times. This album is a reflection of the times and lives of people all around me.”[15] ” On June 21, 2011, a track titled "Feel Inside" apparently featuring Nicki Minaj leaked online. In an interview with MTV it was revealed that the track was in fact two separate songs that the duo were respectively working on, but that someone had put together. Blige revealed that despite the fake collaboration, Minaj and Blige would be collaborating together on a song, written by Andrea Martin. "I was ****ed about the leaking of the Nicki Minaj and Mary J Blige record, because that's not fair and people shouldn't do that," she said bluntly. "But I'm over it. We move on. We're going to make more hot music."[16][17] The album will also see the return of Brook Lynn, Blige's rap alterego last heard on "Enough Cryin'" and the remix to "Touch It" by Busta Rhymes.[18]
Release and promotion
Originally scheduled for a September 20, 2011 release[19], the album was later pushed back to November 21, 2011. A deluxe edtion for the album will also be available in the United States and the United Kingdom.[20]
Live Performances
Mary J. Blige embarked on promotional tours and live performances for My Life II... The Journey Continues (Act 1) and its accompanying singles through the United Kingdom and North America. Promotion began with a live performance of the album's lead single on September 1, 2011 at Good Morning America. [21] Blige performed "25/8" on Dancing with the Stars[22] (October 4). On October 20, Blige debuted a new song from the album called, "Need Someone", at Perez Hilton's "One Night In… New York City" benefit concert for GLSN. [23] Blige also performed "Need Someone" on Later... with Jools Holland (November 1).[24] Blige was a guest on the UK morning show, Daybreak (November 2) and Alan Carr: Chatty Man (November 6) to discuss the new album and single.[25] [26]
Throughout the month of November, Mary will be performing at numerous shows, including Black Girls Rock (November 6)[27], the TeenNick HALO Awards (November 6)[28], the American Music Awards (November 20)[29] and Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade (November 24).[30]. In addition to this, Blige will also embark on a U.S. tour to promote the album. On the tour Blige will perform the original My Life album in it's entirety, with shows in Oakland (November 11), Los Angeles (November 17), New York City (November 23) and Atlanta (November 25).[31]
On December 19, 2011, Blige will perform at "VH1 Divas Celebrates Soul". [32]
Singles
"25/8" was released for digital download on September 1, 2011, as the album's first single.[33] The song was produced and co-written by Eric Hudson. Blige performed the song live for the first time at Good Morning America on September 2, 2011.[34] The song debuted on the Hot R&B/Hip Hop Songs chart at number ninety-four, and has since peaked at number thirty-six. [35]
"Mr. Wrong", featuring Drake, was released as the second single from the album on October 28, 2011. [36] The song is co-produced by Jim Jonsin and Rico Love.[37]
Other Songs
"Someone to Love Me (Naked)" was released as first promotional single of the album in March 2011. It's a reworked version of the song "Someone To Love Me" by Diddy Dirty-Money from their album "Last Train to Paris" and features Lil Wayne and Diddy.[38] Produced by Jerry "Wonder" Duplessis and Arden Altino, "Someone to Love Me (Naked)" samples "You Roam When You Don’t Get It At Home" performed by The Sweet Inspirations.[39] A music video for the song was premiered online on April 4, 2011.[40] Blige and Wayne performed the song live for the first time at the 2011 Billboard Music Awards on May 22, 2011.[41] The song initially debuted on the Hot R&B/Hip Hop Songs chart at number ninety-nine before falling off, only to return and subsequently peak at number twenty-eight.
"The Living Proof" hit the internet on July 5, 2011. It serves as the offical soundtrack for "The Help" and is produced by The Underdogs.[42] A music video for the song was released online on August 10, 2011.[43] The song debuted on Billboard's Adult Contemporary chart at number twenty-seven on November 3, 2011.
Tracklisting
No. Title Writer(s) Producer(s) Length 1. "Intro" Mary Jane Blige Mary J. Blige 1:16 2. "Feel Inside" (featuring Nas) M.J. Blige, Nasir Jones, Jerry Duplessis Jerry "Wonder" Duplessis 5:07 3. "Midnight Drive" (featuring Brook Lynn) Blige, James Scheffer, Richard Butler, Jr., Sean Garrett Jim Jonsin, Rico Love 4:12 4. "Next Level" (featuring Busta Rhymes) Blige, Trevor Smith, Jr., Richard Butler, Jr., Kelendria Rowland Rico Love 4:13 5. "Ain't Nobody" Hawk Wolinski Darkchild 4:03 6. "25/8" Blige, Crystal Johnson, Eric Hudson Eric Hudson 3:55 7. "Don't Mind" Blige, Priscilla Renea Hamilton Darkchild 3:57 8. "No Condition" Blige, Kevin Cossom, Nate Hills Danja 4:27 9. "Mr. Wrong" (featuring Drake) James Scheffer, Richard Butler, Jr., Daniel Morris, Aubrey Graham Jim Jonsin, Rico Love 4:01 10. "Why" (featuring Rick Ross) Blige, Tor Erik Hermansen, Mikkel Storleer Eriksen, Shaffer Smith StarGate 4:21 11. "Love a Woman" (featuring Beyoncé) Blige, Sean Garrett, Beyoncé Knowles, Solange Knowles, Lucy Nichols Sean Garrett, BridgeTown 4:31 12. "Empty Prayers" Blige, Shondrae Crawford, Sean Garrett, Selena Gomez, LaTonya Blige-DaCosta Bangladesh 3:15 13. "Need Someone" Blige, Kasseem Dean, Johnta Austin, Peter Hernandez Swizz Beatz 3:55 14. "The Living Proof" Blige, Thomas Newman, Harvey Mason, Damon Thomas The Underdogs 5:55 Deluxe edition bonus tracks No. Title Writer(s) Producer(s) Length 15. "Journey Continues" 16. "Miss Me With That" Thomas Newman, Harvey Mason, Damon Thomas, Blige, Durrell Babbs The Underdogs, Tank 17. "Someone to Love Me (Naked)" (featuring Lil Wayne & Diddy) Blige, Jerry Duplessis, Leroy Watson, Sean Combs, Dwayne Carter Jerry "Wonder" Duplessis, Arden Altino 3:32 UK edition additional tracks[44][45] No. Title Writer(s) Producer(s) Length 15. "You Want This" 4:14 16. "This Love is for You" 3:46 17. "One Life" 3:43 18. "Someone to Love Me (Naked)" (featuring Lil Wayne & Diddy) Blige, Jerry Duplessis, Leroy Watson, Sean Combs, Dwayne Carter Jerry "Wonder" Duplessis, Arden Altino 3:32 Release history
Region Date Format Label Edition Catalogue France [46] November 21, 2011 CD, digital download Geffen Standard, deluxe United Kingdom [47] Polydor Records United States Matriarch, Geffen References
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- ^ "Online Interview: Drumma Boy « RWD: Grime, Hip Hop, Dubstep, Funky, Pop, R&B, House, News, Interviews, Videos, Audio and Fashion". Rwdmag.com. 2011-01-05. http://www.rwdmag.com/2011/01/online-interview-drumma-boy/. Retrieved 2011-02-22.
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- ^ "Twitter / Ne-Yo!!: Mornin' NY!!! Studio with". Twitter.com. 2010-08-29. http://twitter.com/neyocompound/status/22449596957. Retrieved 2011-02-22.
- ^ "Don Pooh (DonPooh) on Twitter". Twitter.com. http://twitter.com/donpooh. Retrieved 2011-02-22.
- ^ Up for Discussion Jump to Forums (2009-09-14). "Mary J. Blige: 2011 Album Preview". Billboard.com. http://www.billboard.com/features/mary-j-blige-2011-album-preview-1004139914.story?sms_ss=twitter&at_xt=4d532d1bc46f8b35,0#/features/mary-j-blige-2011-album-preview-1004139914.story?sms_ss=twitter&at_xt=4d532d1bc46f8b35,0. Retrieved 2011-02-22.
- ^ "Mary J. Blige Kicks Off Tour with Jazmine Sullivan, Miguel". Rap-Up.com. http://www.rap-up.com/2010/10/03/mary-j-blige-kicks-off-tour-with-jazmine-sullivan-miguel/. Retrieved 2011-02-22.
- ^ The Los Angeles Times. http://goldderbyforums.latimes.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/3226059864/m/598105444.
- ^ "New Music: Mary J. Blige f/ Busta Rhymes & Gyptian – ‘Anything You Want’". Rap-Up.com. http://www.rap-up.com/2010/09/05/new-music-mary-j-blige-f-busta-rhymes-gyptian-anything-you-want/. Retrieved 2011-02-22.
- ^ Posted Mar 15th 2011 10:00AM by Keith Murphy Comments (2011-03-15). "Raphael Saadiq Readies 'Stone Rollin'; Jams With Mary J. Blige". The Boombox. http://www.theboombox.com/2011/03/15/raphael-saadiq-readies-stone-rollin-jams-with-mary-j-blige/. Retrieved 2011-10-11.
- ^ Ziegbe, Mawuse (2010-09-17). "Mary J. Blige Says New Album Will Sound Like 'My Life 2011' - Music, Celebrity, Artist News". MTV. http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1648159/20100917/blige_mary_j.jhtml. Retrieved 2011-02-22.
- ^ "Danja Calls New Mary J. Blige Album ‘Classic Mary in 2011’". Rap-Up.com. http://www.rap-up.com/2011/01/05/danja-calls-new-mary-j-blige-album-classic-mary-in-2011/. Retrieved 2011-02-22.
- ^ "Producer Says New Mary J. Blige Is 'Classic'". Rttnews.com. 2011-01-09. http://www.rttnews.com/ArticleView.aspx?Id=1521557. Retrieved 2011-02-22.
- ^ "Mary J. Blige Readies ‘My Life’ Sequel for September". Rap-Up.com. http://www.rap-up.com/2011/04/04/mary-j-blige-readies-my-life-sequel-for-september/. Retrieved 2011-10-11.
- ^ Posted 7/13/11 (2011-07-13). "Mary J. Blige Calls Nicki Minaj Leak 'Not Fair' - Music, Celebrity, Artist News". MTV. http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1667238/mary-j-blige-nicki-minaj-feel-inside-leak.jhtml. Retrieved 2011-10-11.
- ^ Up for Discussion Jump to Forums. "Update: Leaked Mary J. Blige Song, 'Feel Inside,' Is Not Official - The Juice". Billboard.com. http://www.billboard.com/column/the-juice/update-leaked-mary-j-blige-song-feel-inside-1005244332.story#/column/the-juice/update-leaked-mary-j-blige-song-feel-inside-1005244332.story. Retrieved 2011-10-11.
- ^ "Mary J. Blige Revives Rap Alter Ego Brook Lynn on ‘My Life II’". Rap-Up.com. 2011-09-19. http://www.rap-up.com/2011/09/19/mary-j-blige-revives-rap-alter-ego-brook-lynn-on-my-life-ii/#more-97720. Retrieved 2011-10-11.
- ^ http://www.rap-up.com/2011/07/28/mary-j-blige-shares-her-journey-on-vh1s-behind-the-music-video/
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- ^ http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/video/mary-blige-promotes-latest-album-14434956
- ^ http://abc.go.com/music-lounge/show/dancing-with-the-stars/23172
- ^ http://perezhilton.com/2011-10-21-mary-j-blige-hammerstein-ballroom-one-night-in-new-york
- ^ http://www.directlyrics.com/florence--mary-j-blige-slay-on-jools-holland-news.html
- ^ http://www.itv.com/daybreak/entertainment/music/mary-j-blige/
- ^ http://www.channel4.com/programmes/alan-carr-chatty-man/episode-guide/series-7/episode-2
- ^ http://www.billboard.com/column/the-juice/mary-j-blige-finds-mr-wrong-with-drake-s-1005441752.story
- ^ http://www.teennick.com/blog/halo-2011-halo-awards-jason-derulo-mary-j-blige.html
- ^ http://www.eurweb.com/2011/10/mary-j-blige-joins-%E2%80%98american-music-awards%E2%80%99-lineup/
- ^ http://www.marketwatch.com/story/85-years-of-wonder-2011-11-02
- ^ http://concerttour.org/mary-j-blige-welcomes-my-life-ii-with-teaser-tour.php
- ^ http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1673279/kelly-clarkson-vh1-divas-mary-j-blige.jhtml
- ^ "New Music: Mary J. Blige – ‘25/8’". Rap-Up.com. 2011-08-25. http://www.rap-up.com/2011/08/25/new-music-mary-j-blige-25-8/. Retrieved 2011-10-11.
- ^ "News : FREE MARY J. BLIGE CONCERT LIVE IN CENTRAL PARK FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 2ND!". Mary J. Blige. 2011-08-31. http://www.maryjblige.com/news/default.aspx?nid=36465&aid=847&utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=News&utm_content=nid_36465&utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=fbpost&utm_campaign=mjbfbrss. Retrieved 2011-10-11.
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- ^ "Mary J. Blige Finds ‘Mr. Wrong’ on Second Single". Rap-Up.com. 2011-09-29. http://www.rap-up.com/2011/09/29/mary-j-blige-finds-mr-wrong-on-second-single/#more-98864. Retrieved 2011-10-11.
- ^ [.rap-up.com/2011/01/04/new-music-mary-j-blige-f-lil-wayne-diddy-someone-to-love-me/ "New Music: Mary J. Blige f/ Lil Wayne & Diddy – ‘Someone to Love Me’"]. Rap-Up.com. 2011-04-01. .rap-up.com/2011/01/04/new-music-mary-j-blige-f-lil-wayne-diddy-someone-to-love-me/. Retrieved 2011-23-10.
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- ^ "Video: Mary J. Blige f/ Diddy & Lil Wayne – ‘Someone to Love Me (Naked)’". Rap-Up.com. 2011-04-04. http://www.rap-up.com/2011/04/04/video-mary-j-blige-f-diddy-lil-wayne-someone-to-love-me-naked/. Retrieved 2011-23-10.
- ^ Up for Discussion Jump to Forums (2009-09-14). "Lil Wayne and Mary J. Blige Lead Collaborative Performances at 2011 Billboard Music Awards". Billboard.com. http://www.billboard.com/news/lil-wayne-and-mary-j-blige-lead-collaborative-1005185982.story#/news/lil-wayne-and-mary-j-blige-lead-collaborative-1005185982.story. Retrieved 2011-10-11.
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Mary J. Blige Studio albums What's the 411? • My Life • Share My World • Mary • No More Drama • Love & Life • The Breakthrough • Growing Pains • Stronger with Each Tear • My Life II... The Journey Continues (Act 1)Live albums The Tour • My Collection of Love Songs (Live)Remix albums Compilations Home media 411 Videos • Live from Los Angeles • An Intimate Evening with Mary J. Blige: Live from The House of BluesConcert tours Share My World Tour • The Mary Show Tour • No More Drama Tour • Love & Life Tour • The Breakthrough Experience Tour • Heart of the City Tour • Growing Pains European Tour • Love Soul Tour • Music Saved My Life TourRelated articles Book · Category Discography What's the 411? "You Remind Me" · "Real Love" · "Reminisce" · "Sweet Thing" · "Love No Limit" · "You Don't Have to Worry" · "My Love"My Life Share My World Mary No More Drama Love & Life The Breakthrough Reflections - A Retrospective Growing Pains Stronger With Each Tear "The One" · "I Am" · "Each Tear" · "We Got Hood Love"My Life II... The Journey Continues (Act 1) "25/8" · "Mr. Wrong"Soundtracks Guest appearances "Check It Out" · "I'll Be There for You/You're All I Need to Get By" · "Can't Knock the Hustle" · "Lean on Me" · "911" · "Back 2 Life 2001" · "Come Close" · "I Try" · "Ain't No Way" · "Be Easy" · " Runaway Love" · "Wake Up Call (Mark Ronson Remix)" · "You're Welcome" · "Just Stand Up!" · "IfULeave" · "Remember Me" · "This Is To Mother You" · "What Child Is This" · "Hard Times Come Again No More" · "Bridge Over Troubled Water" · "It Ain't Over, Til' It's Over" ·Promotional singles "Someone to Love Me (Naked)" ·Book · Category Categories:- 2011 albums
- Mary J. Blige albums
- Interscope-Geffen-A&M albums
- Upcoming albums
- Albums produced by Swizz Beatz
- Albums produced by Kanye West
- Albums produced by Danja
- Albums produced by Alicia Keys
- Albums produced by Salaam Remi
- Albums produced by Jim Jonsin
- Albums produced by Stargate
- Albums produced by Sean Garrett
- Albums produced by Rodney Jerkins
- "25/8"
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